Need to know where you are and a pic of the area would help. That said, I’ve had dogs and several toxic plants for a few decades now without it being an issue.

tj

If your dogs chew up everything you plant then you can't plant anything where they are whether poisonous or not.

All my dogs have browsed on longer grass, once in a while. None of them, not even the chocolate lab puppy who eats ANYTHING, pays the least bit of attention to shrubs. Or to most flowers.

Still, it's not bad to avoid the most poisonous. But until we know what zone you are in (or what major city are you reasonably close to) there's no point listing shrubs. What grows in Florida wouldn't last in Montana, etc.

Wisconsin.

Can you fence off an area for shrubs?

No, that would not look good at all.

I think the winter interest I want to obtain in severely problematic.

Yews are deadly, boxwoods are dangerous? Any variations of boxwood possible?

We’re getting closer...where in Wisconsin, which direction does the house face and how much room do you have?

tj

Ozaukee County - north border of Milwaukee. Planting in 6 ft. deep bed along foundation wall, along predominantly west side of house.

Can you not at least keep the dog out of the front yard? Then you could have an attractive and evergreen approach to your house and not worry about the dog. Or you can try spraying with capsicum (pepper) solution or bitter apple.

I have gardened with dogs all my life and with all manner of toxic plants and completely without issue. I really find questions like these puzzling. None of my dogs has ever shown any interest in eating plants. Is it a behavioral issue? A training issue? Dietary problems? It is not normal canine behavior and I would look to fixing it and then planting whatever you want.

Dee if small globes are what you seek there are a number of gold or green arborvitae that would wok fine for you.

tj

Just for fun, and because I have dogs too, I've been googling dog-safe outdoor plants. Very frustrating as I'm sure you already know. Just one last suggestion from me: reconsider a fence. Green wire on green posts could easily fade into the background of a shrubbery.